Kenya Plays Pivotal Role in Passage of Arms Trade Treaty

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) finally saw the light of day after seven years of long-drawn
negotiations when the UN General Assembly passed it by a 154 majority vote on 2nd
April 2013. This was the culmination of two weeks of intense negotiations in New
York that commenced on 18 - 28th March 2013.

Kenya is among the original seven co-authors of the treaty. Kenya’s constructive
engagement in the treaty negotiations was spearheaded by a strong inter-ministerial/departmental
delegation.

The benefits of the passage of the ATT are great not only for Kenya but for Africa,
the continent most afflicted by the scourge of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons,
given the strong provisions on prohibitions, diversion and transfers of conventional
weapons, this will go a long way in containing the proliferation of illicit arms
that fuel most conflicts in the continent. A copy of the treaty can be found on
the UN Website, document number; A/ CONF.217/ 2013/L.3.